The Ben Joravsky Show

Ben Joravsky, Chicago Reader

Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day's stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky or on the Reader's YouTube channel—or wherever you podcast. Don't miss Oh, What a Week!--the Friday feature in which Ben & special guests review the week's top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

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Our Editor's Take

The Ben Joravsky Show podcast is about current events in Chicago and the rest of the US. Ben Joravsky hosts the podcast. Each episode features insightful news discussions and analysis.

Joravsky is a journalist and political commentator from Chicago. He was a writer and editor for the Chicago Reader for many years. Joravsky speaks with a different guest on each podcast episode. These personalities include fellow journalists, authors, and politicians.

One primary focus of The Ben Joravsky Show is national politics. The Trump presidency, MAGA affairs, and the Republican Party are frequent topics. For example, David Faris, a political science professor, joins for an episode. He discusses Trump's legal troubles and the presidential election. Faris comments on what he sees as the Republican party's tendency towards extremism.

Another central theme on the podcast is Chicago-specific politics and local issues. Topics include the mayor, city council members, and the dynamics of city government. Alderman David Moore is a frequent guest. He provides insights into city council business, policies, and local controversies in Chicago. Moore discusses topics like his "new approach" tactic of camping out in a tent to fight violence in his ward. He also shares his views on issues like the ShotSpotter technology.

The show also explores broader cultural and social themes. They include sports, media coverage, environmental issues, and campus protests. Filmmaker Steve James guests on the program. He provides insights into sports, culture, and documentary filmmaking. James also discusses his four-part ESPN documentary on the podcast. His 30 for 30 miniseries, "The Luckiest Man in the World," is about basketball legend Bill Walton. James describes its development and the story it tells.

Joravsky challenges his guests with tough questions. He strives for fair political analysis, even as he acknowledges his progressive leanings. The podcast's tone is conversational yet substantive. It offers an intelligent, Chicago-focused perspective on the day's major issues.

The Ben Joravsky Show podcast started in 2019. Episodes are about 45 minutes to one hour in length.

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Play Trailer
The Ben Joravsky Show returns
25-02-2019
The Ben Joravsky Show returns
Ben is back on the air.The Ben Joravsky Show will launch Wednesday, February 27, as a livestream and podcast presented by the Chicago Reader and Chicago Sun-Times.The show will be streamed from the Sun-Times's studios in the West Loop Tuesdays through Fridays between 1 and 3 PM and will be broadcast live on the Sun-Times and Reader websites during that time.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodes

David Faris--October Surprise
Yesterday
David Faris--October Surprise
David Faris examines the latest election news. Including...the VP debate, the curious Harris strategy, the impact of the economy and Jack Smith's latest filing. Also, a word or two about Jill Stein and the Green Party. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mark Wallace—“Back to Incivilty”
2d ago
Mark Wallace—“Back to Incivilty”
Trump makes it clear that JD’s attempt to play nice guy in the debate is ancient history. Ben riffs. Mark Wallace talks facts about the state of politics in the age of MAGA. Like…”everything you have a right to do does not mean you’re right to do it.” And…”the truth is something you never need to remember.” Also, Ta-Nahesi takes a bold stand on the West Bank. Mark is a podcaster and businessman. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Curtis Lawrence—“Post-Truth Politics"
3d ago
Curtis Lawrence—“Post-Truth Politics"
JD Vance whines because Margaret Brennan wanted him to tell the truth. Ben riffs. Curtis Lawrence talks journalism in the post-truth era, when Trump and Vance believe they should be able to say whatever they want. Even if they’re lying. Also, the Lu Palmer legacy. And the Abe Peck legacy. And reflections on the disappearance of great neighborhood high schools, like Harlan. A lifelong Chicagoan, Curtis is an editor, reporter, playwright and journalism professor, who’s worked at the Sun-Times, Block Club and other outlets.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Monroe Anderson--"Slick JD"
4d ago
Monroe Anderson--"Slick JD"
You gotta go back to Bill Clinton to find a politician as slick as JD Vance. Ben riffs on last night's vice presidential debate. Monroe joins the conversation. Talking Slick JD's smooth dodge of questions on abortion and climate change. Plus, his rewriting of history on Obamacare. And the Big Daddy--his attempt to dodge the question of whether Joe Biden won the election that Joe Biden won. Also, a critical word or two or three about the Democratic nice guy approach for Tim Walz. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
State Rep. Kam Buckner--"Happy Birthday, Jimmy!"
5d ago
State Rep. Kam Buckner--"Happy Birthday, Jimmy!"
Jimmy Carter turns 100. Ben riffs. Kam Buckner offers some millenialistic riffs on President Carter. Conversation starts national, as in Harris v. Trump. Immigration as issue. VP debate preview. Then local. Mayor Johnson "versus" Pedro Martinez. State needs to step up on funding. Finally, Bears talk. Kam played football throughout college so he knows a thing or two or three about the game. And close with Kam schooling Ben on funding for Bears stadium. Kam is the state representative from the 26th legislative district, which includes Soldier Field. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Keith Kelleher—Union Labels
5d ago
Keith Kelleher—Union Labels
With Labor Day behind us, voters start to wake from their slumber. Ben riffs. Keith Kelleher explains what’s at stake for unions. Analyzes the Right’s latest attempts to win over union members and gives a brief history lesson about Janus. Keith is the retired president of SEIU Healthcare. The man knows his labor history, people. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
David Masciotra—I Am Somebody
6d ago
David Masciotra—I Am Somebody
Before Kamala, before Barack, before Bernie there was Jesse. Jesse Jackson, that is. Ran a lefty campaign for president in 1984 and 1988 when all the mainstream Dems were telling Black and lefty voters—shut up, don’t embarrass us. David Masciotra tells the lessons of Jackson and how they’re more relevant than ever. David is the author of I Am Somebody—a biography of Jackson. He’s spent hundreds of hours interviewing Jackson over the years. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Rummana Hussain—Dancing With Anna
1w ago
Rummana Hussain—Dancing With Anna
Rumman Hussain gets real. Talking the reality of reality TV which is…it made Trump into an icon for his cultists. And now it’s allowing Anna Sorokin to run more cons. Thanks to Dancing with the Stars. Also much love for the latest issue of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s newsletter. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jack White—Under Trump’s Thumb
28-09-2024
Jack White—Under Trump’s Thumb
Jack White explains how Trump leads the mainstream media around like they’re little puppy dogs. Mainly the Washington Post and the NYT. It got so bad Jack stopped reading both—cold turkey. Jack White knows a thing or two about the mainstreams. He was a writer for years for Time and the Post. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Miles Kampf-Lassin-"All Alone"
27-09-2024
Miles Kampf-Lassin-"All Alone"
Chicago’s media lines up against CTU. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin tells you all you need to know about the economic plans of Kamala Harris and Trump’s. Also, Miles on CPS, labor, and a few words about the legacy of Chicago’s own Derrick Rose. Miles is editor/writer for In These Times.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Elizabeth Austin—“Busted in NYC"
26-09-2024
Elizabeth Austin—“Busted in NYC"
Mayor Adams of NYC indicted on corruption charges. Ben riffs. Elizabeth Austin mentions the crushes NYT columnists had for him. In particular Nate Silver. Talking Adams turns the conversation to Blago, a pol Elizabeth once wrote speeches for. Also, if policy matters how come the media outlets that say it matters paid almost no attention to Kamala Harris’s economic policy speech? And an unconventional President Biden conspiracy theory. Elizabeth is a political strategist and writer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Monroe Anderson-"Be Fair!"
25-09-2024
Monroe Anderson-"Be Fair!"
MAGA wants journalists to be fair when covering Trump. Ben riffs. Monroe explains why MAGA loves Mark Robinson. A few words about Republicans who are too ashamed to admit they’re voting for Trump. We see you Brett Stephens. And then we go local. Talking about media folks who aren’t hating on Mayor Johnson. It’s basically the Triib and Ben. And Monroe, sorta.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Stacy Davis Gates—“Hooray for the Filibuster"
24-09-2024
Stacy Davis Gates—“Hooray for the Filibuster"
Dems employ filibuster to keep MAGA from winning all electoral votes in Nebraska. Ben riffs. Stacy Davis Gates talks politics of funding schools, CEO Martinez, elected school board and more. That’s the local. Then she talks national politics. She’s big time for Kamala. Also Ben offers Stacy his condolences cause Northern Illinois beat her beloved Notre Dame. Stacy is the president of the Chicago Teachers Union,See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mick Dumke—Michigan Swings
24-09-2024
Mick Dumke—Michigan Swings
Mick Dumke tells you everything you need to know about Michigan, the state that may determine who wins in November. Including…the politics, the divisions, the parts that are like Chicago and the parts that are like Wyoming, the legacy of Romney (George, not Mitt), Big Gretch and the significance of the mitten. Mick knows a thing or two about Michigan because it’s his home state. He is an editor for Block Club.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Rummana Hussain—MAGA Tulsi
23-09-2024
Rummana Hussain—MAGA Tulsi
Rummana Hussain hates to say I told you so—but she did warn Democrats about Tulsi Gabbard, who recently enlisted in the Trump cult. Also, a few words about challenges left over after the convention. And some love for Michelle Obama. Also, a geography lesson for Ben. And an Eddie Vedder lesson for Rummana. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Julie Lynn—The Voter Disconnect
22-09-2024
Julie Lynn—The Voter Disconnect
Nothing illustrates the disconnect of voters from reality so much as the issue of abortion. You got voters voting for referendums to legalize abortion then turning around and voting for politicians who will do everything they can to keep it illegal. Julie Lynn explains it all. Julie is a political consultant. No one knows more about the politics of abortion than Julie.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
David Faris--The Mark Robinson Factor
21-09-2024
David Faris--The Mark Robinson Factor
Using Mark Robinson as an example--and, oh, what an example--David Faris explains his reverse coattails theory. Or, how Robinson's presence as MAGA's gubernatorial candidate may swing North Carolina from Trump to Harris. Somehow voters in NC can put up with Trump but not Robinson. Also, hard ball from Nebraska's MAGA crew and nice ball from Maine's Dems. David explains that, too. When will Dems ever learn? And the strategy behind MAGA's hate. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Pat Whalen —“MadDog Mistrial"
20-09-2024
Pat Whalen —“MadDog Mistrial"
The federal corruption trial tangentially related to former House Speaker Michael Madigan ends in a mistrial. Ben riffs. And Pat Whalen joins him. Imagine a world in which Illinois Democrats behaved like MAGA. In which Dems stood by their Nan like MAGA stands by Trump. A few words about pundits. And then it’s back to Chicago for city council analysis. Pat is a comic, actor and podcaster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Denali Dasgupta—"Shot Spotter Revolt"
19-09-2024
Denali Dasgupta—"Shot Spotter Revolt"
Apparently having nothing better to do, the city council wages a revolt on behalf of ShotSpotter. Ben riffs. Denali Dasgupta talks about the aldermanic love for tech bros, technology, privatization and “magical thinking”. That is, the belief that a device peddled by a clever salesman will magically solve our problems. And speaking of strange obsessions, why do New York Times columnists think they’re so much smarter than Kamala Harris? Ben admits that listener Eric is right on the Trump assassination conspiracies. Finally, a few words about Alderman Reilly’s pager tweet. One more time—stop tweeting, people! Denali is a former former aldermanic candidate and one of Chicago’s great thinkers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Monroe Anderson—“MAGA Blames the Left”
18-09-2024
Monroe Anderson—“MAGA Blames the Left”
Cook County Republicans blame the Radical Left for stirring up hate. Ben riffs. Monroe offers his alternative view of the first assassination attempt. A raging debate ensues. Also, Monroe explains why Vance and Trump are stirring up hate against Hatians and why Harris hesitated to meet with the press. Can’t argue with that. Billie Eilish joins Taylor Swiff in endorsing Kamala. Finally, the Bears—can they get worse? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.